A way of picturing magnetic phenomena. All magnets are considered to be "dipoles", having both a North pole (which would point North if used in a compass) and a South pole (which would point South if used in a compass. In an alternator, generator, or motor the number of Poles is a measure of how many coils, permanent magnets or electromagnets are in the armature or stator.

In an AC motor, refers to the number of magnetic poles in the stator winding. The number of poles is a determinant of the motor's speed. (See Synchronous Speed) In a DC motor, refers to the number of magnetic poles in the motor. Creates the magnetic field in which the armature operates. (Speed is not determined by the number of poles).

All magnets have two poles, known as the North and the South. The opposite poles of magnets attract each other and like poles repel one another. For ease of use, color codes are used for magnet therapy: Usually blue or green, but sometimes white for the North Pole and often red, or sometimes black for the South Pole. The North Pole is also referred to as the negative (-), whilst the South Pole is the positive (+).

Magnetic devices set up inside the motor by the placement and connection of the windings. Divide the number of poles into 7200 to determine the motor's normal speed. For example, 7200 divided by 2 poles equals 3600 RPM.

In the downhill and super-G, poles are curved to fit around the body to reduce air resistance. In the slalom events, poles are straight and often have plastic guards covering the knuckles to help skiers knock the slalom poles out of their path.

the stabilizing struts between the basket, the burner mount and the load cables. On some balloons the poles are actually load-bearing elements; on others they simply act as stiff or slightly flexible guides for the actual load-bearing elements and connections from envelope sensors to the instrument console. Also referred to as "burner supports", "supports" or "flexi poles" there main job is to stop the burner knocking you on the head during landing.

Used to support canopies and larger awnings. Available in steel or steel with a brass sleeve. Steel poles are generally painted to prevent rusting. They can be mounted directly to the concrete or set into the ground.

Logs used to support power lines and so need to be of durable species (Ironbarks, Tallowwood, Grey Box, Grey Gum etc) or species suitable for preservation treatment such as Blackbutt and Spotted Gum. The log needs to meet strict pole specifications for straightness and be generally defect free. Poles need to be of specific sizes with most of the demand for very restrictive size classes. Logs suitable for poles but outside these sizes are often not saleable as a pole.

Acronym for Polar Exchange at the Sea Surface, a component of the NASA EOS program that investigates the exchange of mass and energy at the air-ice-ocean interface in the polar regions. See the POLES Web site.

A way of describing the extreme end points on a spectrum from the most expansive to the most restrictive. The Positive Pole is energy at its freest, most loving, while the Negative Pole is energy at its most restricted and fearful. One is not better or worse, in the Michael Teachings, though Positive Pole is usually the goal since it feels good to most of us.